Folding paper cup



Dec. 4; 1951 H. B. CRANSHAW FOLDING PAPER CUP 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed July 9, 1949 FM M Z D 4, 1951 'H. B. CRANSHAW 2,577,109

FOLDING PAPER CUP Filed July 9, 1949 2 SHEETSSHEET z Patented Dec. 4, 1951 FOLDING PAPER CUP Harold B. Cranshaw, Newton, Mass., assignor to Burnitol Manufacturing 00., Boston, Mass., a

corporation of Maine Application July 9, 1949, Serial No. 103,798

3 Claims.

This invention relates to cups of the type having a pivoted cover to swing from closed to open position about one edge of the cup, and more particularly to folding paper cups of the type used in hospitals.

Objects of the invention are to provide a cup of the character referred to which is simple and economical in construction, which can be assembled easily and quickly, which is easy to open and hold in open position, and which is reliable in use.

According to the present invention the cover has a portion overhanging one edge of the cup to form a handle with which to swing the cover to open position by downward pressure on the overhanging portion, together with rubber-band means for yieldingly holding the cover in position, the rubber-band means including a band section extending under a portion of the cup along the aforesaid edge and another band section extending over opposite edges of the cover at points slightly in advance of the aforesaid edge, and notches or slits in the edges of the cover or other means to prevent the latter band section from shifting forwardly or rearwardly in relation to the cover. While the band. means may comprise two or more rubber bands, it preferably comprises a single band which includes two upper band sections extending over the cover and two lower sections extending under the cup, at least one of the lower sections extending along the aforesaid edge and thence upwardly over the ed es of the cover at points above said edge, the other section extending over the edges of the cover at points somewhat farther forward. In the preferred embodiment the two upper sections extend diagonally between a rearward point on one side of the cover and a forward point on the other side of the cover. The cover may be formed integrally with the cup or it may be formed as a separate piece. When formed integrally it is connected with the aforesaid edge of the cup by a connecting part with one of the aforesaid lower sections of the band extending under the connecting part. The cup preferably has an inturned lip along the aforesaid edge and one of the lower sections of the band may extend under this lip.

For the purpose of illustration typical embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of the blank for one embodiment;

Fig. 2 is an isometric view of the embodiment formed from the blank of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the same embodiment;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the blank for another embodiment;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the cover for the sec ond embodiment;

Fig. 6 is an isometric view of the second embodiment; and

Fig. 7 is a side view of the second embodiment with parts shown in section.

The particular embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 1 is formed from a single blank comprising a bottom I, sides 2, 3, 4 and 5 interconnected by gussets 6 at the corners, a cover 1 connected at the side 4 by a connecting part 8 and two extensions 9 and I!) each having a pair of cars II. The two parts of each gusset are folded against each other and thence against the outer sides of the cup. The flaps 9 and ID are then folded outwardly over the gussets and the ears H are tucked under the gussets as shown in Fig. 2. The cover is folded over the cup about the fold line l2 and the cover is then opened and closed by swinging it about the hinge line l3. After the parts are folded into position a rubber band is applied as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The band has two upper sections l4 and 15 extending across the cover from side to side and two lower sections I6 and I1 extending under the connecting part 8. The lower section I6 joins two opposite ends of the two upper sections through slits H3 in the cover and the lower section I! joins the other two opposite ends of the two upper sections through notches l9 which may also beslitted as at l8 if desired.

The cover may be opened by pressing downwardly on the rearward extension of the cover which overhangs the rear edge of the cup, the engagement of the band in the notches l8 yieldingly closing the cover when released. The portions of the band which extend through the notches l9 hold the cover 1 and connecting part 8 in contact with each other at all times.

In the embodiment shown in Fi s. 4. 5 6 and 7 the blank comprises a bottom I, sides 2, 3, 4 and 5 interconnected bv gussets 6 and pairs of extensions 1 and 8, the extension I havin notches 9 and the extension 8 having ears Ill. The cover II has two sets of notches in its opposite edges, a rearward set !2 and a forward set I3.

In folding the cup the gussets B are folded inwardly instead of outwardly and the extensions 1 and B are folded inwardly over the gussets with the ears I 0 interlocked in the notches 9. The gussets may be folded a ainst any of the four sides of the cup but preferably not against the 3 7 side carrying the lip' under which the band is to be looped as hereinafterdescribed. Before the lips I and 8 are interlocked together the rubber band I4 is looped under the rear lip 8. The cover is then slipped'through the band with the band engaging in the rear notches IZ'and then the band is looped under the box with portions extending through the forward notches l3 as'shown in Figs. 6 and 7. The second loop which extends under the box may instead extend under one of the lips, for example under the same lip 8 as the first loop. When using a'cup holder such as:

shown at l5 in Figs. 6 and the band also serves to hold the cup in the holder; 5

In each of the illustrative embodiments the band means has two upper band sections extending over the cover and the twolowersections ex tending under the cup. In the first embodiment 2. A receptacle of the class described compris-- ing a cup the rear side of whi'chhas at the upper end an integral extension bent outwardly about a fold line at the level -of the mouth of the cup,

a cover for the cup having a portion overlapping 7 wardly inrelatiomto the cover.

both lower sections extend under the part, 8 of" the cup (Figs. 2 and 3); and in the second embodirnent one lower section{ extends underthe part 8 and the other lower section extends under the bottom of the cup (Fig. '1) Inasmuch as there are noslots in the cover along the rear edge of the cup there is notendency for the cover to break along the line of said ed'ge. l

It should be understood that the present dis closure-is for the purpose of illustration only-and that this invention'i'ncludes an modifications and equivalents which falT- within the scope of the app nqeeclan spp l I e r T "Iclaim't 7 a I 1, A receptacle of the class' described comprisingacup the rear side of 'which has at the upper endan integral extension bent over about a fold line at the level of the mouth off the cup, cover forithe cup having a portion overhanging said fold line to form a handle with which to swing the cover to open position by downward'pressure on the overhanging position, rubber-:band' means for yieldingly holdingvthe cover in position eluding a loop extending under said extension along said ioldline for holding the cover against the fold line and a loop extending over opposite edges or the cover at points in advance; of said foldline and thence under a portion of the cup, and meansto, prevent the latter loop" from shifting forwardly or rearwardlytin relation to the :cover;

3. A receptacle of the class described comprising acup the rear side of which has at the upper end an integral extension bent inwardly about a fold line at the; level of the=mouthi ofctheicup, a cover for: the 0111) having. axportion overhang ing;.said. fold line to form; a handle With: which to swing; the cover to; open positionby downward pressure on the overhanging positiom; rubberband means for yieldingly holding the'jcoverin position. including a loop extending: under: said extension along said fold line: for holding; the

I in relation' to the'c'over.

cover against thefoldlineland a' loop extending over opposite edges of the: cover: at. .pointsninJa-d.-

Vance of said fold line and thence under .a;, poi:- tion of the: cup, and means td'prevemi each-tot said loops from; shifting forwardly oru rearwardly HAROLD B.. GRANSHAW.

V REFERENG S EH f M Y The following references are offre'cord in the file of this patent: 7

UNITED STATES PATENTS? Number; Name- Date v 920,180 r Potter May- 4, 19.09 2,015,625 Harrison Sept. 2.4; 1-935 2,324,893 Warsher July 20, L943 2,349,238 Burre= .Ma-y;23; 1-94i 2385;704-

Cra-nshaw Oct. 25; 1949 

